Posted By On July 28, 2006 @ 10:47 AM In System Tune-Up Help | No Comments

Do you consistently monitor your CPU usage? If you don’t, it’s not the end of the world, but it is a good idea to keep an eye on that every once in awhile. What do I mean by CPU usage? Well, it’s basically the percentage of your computer system (programs, other applications, etc.) being used at a particular time.

If you’re using several programs, your usage may be a little higher than when you’re not doing anything. Either way, there is usually some part of your system that is filled up. Even when you’re not using any programs, there will still be a small percentage gone, because of antivirus, firewall, spyware, etc. programs running in the background. It’s nothing to worry about, but it’s good to keep all of that in mind in case you’re worried.

To see how much of your CPU is being used at any given time, you just need to open the Task Manager. The easiest way to do this is to hit Ctrl + Alt + Del (all at the same time) and it will pop right up on your screen. Now, the percentage number is under the Processes tab and it’s toward the bottom, labeled CPU Usage. You can watch it fluctuate back and forth between the percentages if you want. That way, you know exactly how much is being used at all times.

While in the Task Manager, you can also look at some performance and networking numbers if you’re interested in that. Again, it’s always a good idea to keep your eye on these things, so go to it!